Feb
22
Wine Blends
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Before long, if you have been taking an interest in wine, you’ll find that you start to notice that some wines are listed as blended wines, while others are listed as varietal wines. If you are curious about what goes into a fine glass of wine, or if you are simply interested in knowing a little bit more about the vintage that you are drinking, you’ll find that learning about blended wines can help you fully appreciate the experience a little more.
Blended wines are composed of a variety of grape types, while varietal wine is created from a single type. Both types of wine have been in existence for centuries, and given the fact that better methods of transport and storage have been invented, the variety of blended wines have exploded in recent years.
When you go shopping for wines, you should be aware of what can be considered a varietal as opposed to being a blended wine. For example, as you examine a label, you’ll discover that a wine classified as a varietal may contain 15% of different varieties of grapes. But, if a wine is listed as blended, the predominant varietal will be listed first. This may help you choose a new blended wine that you are not familiar with, for example, if Cabernet is a favorite of yours be on the alert for a Cabernet Merlot. You may discover that your favorite wines are actually blends of more than one variety. Bordeaux is one fine example of blended wine.
Whether a wine is varietal or blended is insignificant as long as it is pleasing to your palate. Blending wines does not produce a sub-par product, many of the most outstanding vintages in wine history have, in fact, been blends. Some of the most popular red wines are blends. If you would like to learn more about some grapes, you can use blended wines to test them without having to make a complete commitment.
Some people are experts on wine and some know nothing about how to pick a good wine. Talk to people around you and have them give you some advice on wine blends and how to pick a good one. Another great way to try various blends is to join a wine club. There are many types of online monthly wine clubs to choose from that offer very fine wines including some exceptional blended wines delivered right to your home.
Feb
21
Britian’s Wine Consumption
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Britain now imports more wine than any other country on the planet. As a nation we imported a grand total of 1.6 billion bottles in 2007, equating to 35 standard bottles for every adult in the country which is absolutely staggering figure. The average British adult now drinks 12% more wine than they did just five years ago and forecasts predict our consumption will continue to grow far beyond that figure. Global wine consumption is on the rise in past years and also forecast to grow considerably. The US are predicted to eventually become the world’s biggest consumer by 2012. The UK is 13th in the world, in terms of consumption per adult and despite Britain being a massive importer, the amount we drink is dwarfed by other neighbouring European countries including France.
Red wine and white wine are on the increase as well as champagne and cognacs. The British public consumed seven hundred and twenty million bottles of red wine and 764 million bottles of white wine in 2008 and that figure is expected to grow for 2009. However red wine is rapidly falling in popularity, as white wine and rose wine take larger shares of the increasing wine industry.
Wine merchants have been incredibly busy for another year in 2008. Additionally, reports have indicated that many wine accessories such as tableware and dinnerware have been selling extremely fast as a natural accompaniment to wine. The thirst for wine is set to deepen in emerging economies such as China and Russia, whose consumption levels are soon expected to overtake that of Spain which is another nation historically associated with wine. It predicted that the financial and economic crisis affecting many wine consumer countries worldwide would only have ‘limited’ consequences for the growth of the wine sector. The report forecast growth for the coming four years roughly in line with pre-crisis trends. Either way it is a very terrifying thought.
A great wine club located in Great Britain is the Sunday Times Wine Club.
Feb
20
Wine Of India
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To complement a good dinner you need fantastic wine to go with it. For discerning curry aficionados, it could soon be the habitual final flourish to millions of orders from around the world. When having a smart slap up meal the waiter would ask you what you would like to drink to which you would answer, “A bottle of your finest Nashik region sauvignon blanc or an original Maharastran Shiraz”. Like any good meal there are some essentials that you need, for example, tableware, food, wine and general service.
Indian wine is desperately trying to emulate the success of the sub-continents beer (Cobra) and food (Curry). However India’s oldest winery only dates back to early1982 so the industry is still really in the starting phases. India as a nation are trying to increase their revenue stream as much as possible by broadening their own horizons. Exporting wine as well as beer and food will be a great move for Indian commerce as a nation as this will un-doubtedly help their relation and profit prospects.
White wine and red wine go well with any meal and normally you would go for a wine that has been brewed and made in France or Italy for example but Indian wine could change all of that. Sales have grown by a massive 30% to 35% in India every year since as early 2002 and although only 2% of the population drinks wine, that still accounts for a staggering 20 million people. Last year alone the Indian wine market accounted for 1.two million cases of wine being sold, representing a doubling of domestic consumption in only just five years. Compared to global players in the wine industry – America last year produced 270 million cases – India remains a viticultural minnow but now producers believe they have spotted a receptive export for the globe and an avenue to make plenty of money.